Coast Guard football game is still on for Saturday despite shutdown

New London — The Coast Guard Academy’s home football game on Saturday is going forward for now, despite the government shutdown, which may cancel other games for the Navy, Air Force and Army.

Lt. Megan Mervar, public affairs officer at the academy, said the game against Western New England University will go forward as planned. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Saturday is New London Day at the academy, and some 3,000 students from the New London Public Schools and their families have been invited to attend the game. Free tickets are available at the main offices of all city schools and can be obtained the day of the game at the New London Public Schools tent at Leamy Hall. All drivers must show identification to get on campus.

“As I speak to you now, the sporting events are on, but this is a day-by-day thing as far as what they’re able to facilitate,’’ added Lt. Paul Rhynard, a Coast Guard spokesman at Coast Guard headquarters.

The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that it had suspended travel for intercollegiate athletic competitions at its service academies due to the shutdown, according to the Associated Press and a story on ESPN’s website. The Coast Guard Academy falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

Air Force is set to play Navy, and Army is supposed to be at Boston College on Saturday. But both games could be canceled because of the cost of travel.

A Pentagon spokesman, according to ESPN, said the decision is being reviewed by lawyers to determine whether funds are congressionally appropriated and can be used for athletics.

Decisions on whether those games go forward will be made in the next few days.